Participants of a protest demonstration of LGBT activists in the center of Tbilisi in front of the government office building clashed with Orthodox activists last evening. The latter tried to prevent LGBT activists from carrying out a demonstration, during which several people were detained by police. LGBT activists and human rights activists decided to hold a rally after the Patriarchate of the Georgian Orthodox Church appealed to the government with a statement demanding that they not allow the LGBT pride scheduled for June 18-23 to be held in Tbilisi. A campaign called “State, where are you?” was organized through social media. However, its participants, who came to demand the protection of freedom of expression, were met by participants of a counterdemonstration. Among them were businessman Levan Vasadze, well-known for his conservative and anti-Western views, members of the Union of Orthodox Parents, priests and right-wing activists.